WANJA

Writer-Director: Carolina Hellsgård, Germany, 2015, 87 min., German with English subtitles, digital

After a long period in prison, 40-year-old Wanja (Anne Ratte-Polle) is determined to avoid anything that might lead her back into addiction and the same lowlife circles as before. She takes innocuous jobs, first in a pet shop because she likes caring for animals, and then at an equestrian stable. She moves into social housing and meets regularly with her parole officer. During her work at the track she meets Emma (Nele Trebs), a somewhat rebellious 16-year-old.

Wanja soon starts feeling affection for the troubled girl who reminds her of herself before she went into prison – right down to the same excessive drinking, the drug-taking and the cool friends. At first the two keep out of each other's way, but little by little Wanja grows closer to Emma and a cautious friendship develops. When Emma lands in trouble, Wanja decides to take control and save her.

Source: www.berlinale.de

Carolina Hellsgård Was born in Stockholm, Sweden and studied at the University of the Arts in Berlin as well as at Cal Arts’ Graduate Film Directing Program. Her debut feature, WANJA had its world premiere at the 2015 Berlin International Film Festival where it was nominated for Best First Feature Film. The film was shown at numerous international film festivals including Sao Paulo, Montreal, Gothenburg and Austin Filmfestival. WANJA was awarded Best Debut Film at the Biberacher Filmfestspiele and Best Script at Valletta Filmfestival, Malta. It was released theatrically in Germany in 2016. At Villa Aurora Carolina Hellsgård will work on the screenplay for a science fiction drama based on the current world situation.

With this screening, Villa Aurora continues its collaboration with the Goethe-Institut Los Angeles. Under the label “Villa @ Goethe,” artists residing at the Villa Aurora have the opportunity to showcase their projects (past, present, and future) with the friends, patrons and guests at the Goethe-Institut.

Discussion with Carolina Hellsgård, and reception following the screening.